THE ROANOKE REGION OF VIRGINIA

-- Dipping their paddles into the quiet and cool James River on Wednesday, the three canoeists worked to strike a balance between their need to cover the miles, and their desire to enjoy the day.

"It's like paddling through a post card," said Ed Rhett, shaking his head in amazement.

One of his two paddling partners, Dick McMillan, nodded.

"It's not often you can paddle for 15 miles and see only one other person," said McMillan.

"And only one house," Rhett added.

It's tough to top Western Virginia for that opportunity, especially in the fall, when the region's semi-wild rivers feature great scenery, active wildlife and generally light crowds.

A native of Pulaski, Rhett had made the trip from Charleston, W.Va., joining his brother, Charles, and their brother-in-law, McMillan, both of whom still live in Pulaski.

Why weren't they on the New River, another excellent paddling destination?

"We've done the whole New," McMillan said.

"We just finished last week," Charles Rhett pointed out.

Now it's on to the James.

The trio of retirees had already knocked out the long section from Iron Gate to Eagle Rock. On Wednesday they tackled the stretch from Eagle Rock to Springwood. Next up is the long day from Springwood to Arcadia.

While the men enjoy paddling through the summer, they love fall.

"With this kind of weather, there's not a lot of bugs," Ed Rhett said. "And the air is much clearer for photographs."

Sheepishly he admitted he was on the river that day without a camera, something he regretted early on when the trio spotted a bald eagle.

"In the sunlight, that white head looked just like a beacon," Rhett said.

During the week, daytime paddling crowds are light to nonexistent during the fall, even on rivers that can be filled with paddlers during the summer.

"School is back in session and people are thinking about other things," said John Mays, whose Twin River Outfitters business on the James sees its customer base shrink as fall arrives.

While Mays would prefer customers, he makes the most of the shift.

"It's when we do most of our paddling," he said.

Mays echoes the Rhetts when he talks about what to love about early fall paddling, including the comfortable weather, stunning water clarity, lack of bugs and beautiful scenery.

"Leaf season is actually an incredible time to be on the water paddling" Mays said.

Not all is perfect for paddlers in September and early October.

Water levels are often at their lowest of the year.

"It's not so much a safety issue," Mays said of low water. "It's more of a paddling comfort issue."

Pulling a canoe or kayak through one or two shallow riffles may be tolerable, but any more can be a real drag, so to speak.

Regularly mixing with river rocks can also mar the bottom of a craft, and even result in damage.

Fortunately for river runners, good rainfall this summer has area rivers in better shape than in recent seasons.

Those who make the effort to venture out will get to spend most of their time in their boats enjoying the scenery and the season.


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